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A Model for Evaluation of Life-Cycle Energy Savings of Occupancy Sensors for Control of Lighting and Ventilation in Office Buildings
Abstract
Lighting and ventilation represent the majority of the air conditioning loads in office buildings in hot humid climates. Use of motion sensors is one way to minimize the energy used for these loads. This paper describes the methods used for simulation a case study building with motion sensors installed and the monitoring of system on-off statistics related to occupant patterns. It also
describes the development of the Monte Carlo model
used to predict the on-off status of sensors. The
building using the motion sensors is compared to a
building that controls the lights and ventilators by a
conventional pre-programmed schedule. The
conventional methods of simulation were shown to
generate misleading information regarding electric
demand charges and life-cycle costs of the building.
When comparing to actual use patterns, the Monte
Carlo process was shown to represent an adequate
way to represent the on-off patterns. Computer
simulations further demonstrate the potential life
cycle cost savings from the use of the motion
sensors.
Citation
Degelman, L. O. (2000). A Model for Evaluation of Life-Cycle Energy Savings of Occupancy Sensors for Control of Lighting and Ventilation in Office Buildings. Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu); Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu). Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /6811.